The power of impactful goals
Dream Big, Marcia
Over the years, I’ve been asked by mentees and teammates, “How did you get to where you are today?”And my constant thoughts are… What have I done? Am I where I always dreamed about being?
Through the years, I have frequently heard people talking about visualization and the power of wishing by doing. But I wasn’t sure, until one day.
One classmate at university in my early years told me, “You will go far.” — This was around 2011 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Without any work experience, but starting to get some freelancing opportunities. But this quote has never left my mind.
The Start
But let’s go back to the beginning. At the early stages of my career (even before starting university), I had clear goals, I’ve always dreamed big.-
And looking back now, this was the key to everything. But the path to success is rarely a straight line. It’s filled with twists, turns, and countless learning opportunities.
Discovering My Passion
It may sound cliché, but I am confident that my 17-year-old self could never have imagined the heights attainable in the creative world. But I was 100% assured I wanted to become a Graphic Designer. My relatives and those around me were completely detached from the creative industry. Frankly, I wasn’t even sure what a designer did, but my passion was undeniable. My first goal was to become an editorial designer and work for a magazine. Long story short, did it happen? YES.
Have I made mistakes? Countless. Have things gone as I expected? Rarely. Did I give up? I came close but always found the strength to push a little harder.
The Power of Big Dreams
I’ve always dreamed big — when I say big, I mean REALLY BIG. And I continue to do so. Sometimes, I get scared, especially when I reflect on how audacious my initial goals seemed.
My colleague, Florencia Stura, and I often laugh at our past selves (Captus), marveling at how we viewed every goal as attainable, no matter how far-fetched. We took on freelance projects as muralists and calligraphers in early 2013–2014, and no project was ever too challenging for us. We were always going beyond on each adventure. We had a very clear goal: to get paid to travel and showcase our work. It was such a driven desire, and we knew that we wouldn’t stop until it happened. Did it happen? Yes.
But at that moment, I also started to identify my future goals. When people asked where I imagined myself in 5 years, I always said, “working in a big company, having international clients, and learning from other cultures while also increasing my design skills.” Did this happen? Yes.
Years went by, and I started to have some new crazy goals: working for a company outside my home country, growing in the design industry, and finding what makes my work unique. You could start to realize how crazy these goals seemed, but they were achievable. Did all these happen? Yes.
But there was one thing that made me rethink when all those goals started to be accomplished. I began to feel the power of dreaming big how important it is to set goals where you can succeed, and how cheerful it is to be around people who boost your confidence. But at this same point, I was starting to feel quite empty with short-term goals, and doubts about my career began to give me goosebumps about what was next. That’s when I had to reduce my internal speed, and it made me think about a new step. I needed to help others succeed, as I had done. That’s when I landed in mentorship.
How Mentoring Helps Me Help Others
After identifying what makes me unique and what also nurtures me, I discovered the power behind sharing all these learnings, and insights though mentorship.
At this point, I had identified that mentoring brings me so much joy. I remember my younger self, being super lost around my creative career. And how powerful those achievements could have been, with a mentor guiding me. Even though my goals were clear, it was hard to make the first move to get closer to them. Through the years I discovered, this was not something that only happened to me.
Many creatives entering the industry today are overwhelmed by fear — fear of the market, the opportunities, or how far they can reach. It reminds me of my beginnings, armed with nothing but ambition and a “dream big” ethos emblazoned on my t-shirt. Mentorship is my way of giving back, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to those navigating the early stages of their careers.
Reflecting on my journey, I feel that the prevailing sentiment is gratitude. Gratitude for every teacher, leader, mentor, and individual who has played a role in my career development, no matter how minor. Each one has contributed something invaluable.
And here are my best learnings:
- Embrace Mistakes: Every mistake is a learning opportunity. It’s through errors and setbacks that we grow and improve.
- Stay Resilient: The road to success is often challenging. Resilience is key to pushing through tough times and coming out stronger.
- Ask for help: Having mentors can provide invaluable insights and guidance. Don’t be afraid to reach out and learn from others’ experiences.
- Dream Big: Never underestimate the power of big dreams. They serve as a compass, guiding you toward your ultimate goals.
- Continuous Learning: The design industry is ever-evolving. Stay curious, keep learning, and adapt to new trends and technologies.
Now, what?
Currently, I’m a design director at Superside, working on innovative projects that blend creativity with strategic brand development. My role involves not only leading challenging projects but also mentoring designers at all levels, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. My achievements include billboards in Times Square, C-level keynotes, TV commercials, countless ads, and successful brand revamps. However, my most cherished achievement is a growing community of mentees who are making their mark in the industry.
Looking to the Future
As I look ahead, I aim to continue growing as a leader and mentor. If I could say today what I’m willing to achieve as a creative, it’s to influence and shape the future of design on a larger scale. My vision is to create more opportunities for emerging designers and to champion diversity and inclusion within the industry, making choices as equitable as possible, no matter your location, education, or ethnicity. I aim to make the design industry a great place for creatives. It’s my essence; my goals will forever be dreaming BIG. ✨
Now, almost 13 years after the comment “You will go far”, I can totally agree that I’ve gone far. Am I there yet? No, and that’s why I’m 1000% confident that I’ll get there, but I will bring a lot of new learnings, failures, and mentees along.
👉 Are you looking for guidance and mentorship? Let’s Connect or book a mentorship session together on ADPList.org.
Let’s embark on this exciting journey together!
